Manuel vs. Auto. And a few other Q's

[richard cabesa]

Hello!

New guy here. I've been lurking around for the last month or so collecting info and enjoying this great site. I am shopping for a new Tacoma to continue my adventures and exploration seeing as my adventure motorcycling days may be numbered due to an eye injury from my last biff in the desert. I don't like falling down so much any more

Anyway, my first post and my first questions are about manual vs. auto trans. My general train of thought has always been full size truck = auto, compact = manual to deal with loss of power a slush box usually causes.

Modern day automatics being much better and the 4.0 engine is this an issue?

Is anyone here running the 6-speed?

Having any problems with the clutch? (I've heard of one slave failure)

The 6-speed is rated slightly lower MPG. My guess would be the lower gearing and the autos ability to lock up in OD. Any thoughts?

Does anyone have one tranny and wish they had the other?

Well, that's enough to start, I need to get back to work(sucks). I'll check in a little later

Thanks,
David

p.s. where's that damn tire fit thread, I read it a week or so ago and can't find it now

 

[Martinjmpr]

Richard: I've been running a 5 speed in my '04/3.4l and love it! Over on the TTORA message boards you'll find lots of MT Tacos as well. Transmission choice is largely a matter of what you like, but to me it's the difference between driving and just steering.

Note, though, that many trucks (especially full size) are going to autos exclusively, which I think is unfortunate. Case in point is the Tundra which is not available with any kind of MT to my knowledge.

 

[DaveInDenver]

Case in point is the Tundra which is not available with any kind of MT to my knowledge.

Really? That stinks. First MT goes bye-bye in the Cruiser, then the 4Runner and now the Tundra. I wonder how long the FJC and Taco remain viable options. Just about every day I hear something else that steels my decision to keep my old truck. And I so want to see something at Toyota that makes me consider replacing it, but nuthin' is doing it. To the original question, no idea. I like my 5 speed and don't regret not having an automatic much. Once I get the transfer gearing lower I think I'll never want for a slush box. Never been a fan of automatics and I haven't driven a truck yet that I like the auto. It always seems I'm picking a gear to be in anyway to keep the thing from hunting.

 

[Cackalak Han]

I'll add my $.02. I've always owned manual cars (and of course bikes I've owned are all manual). Rev-match, slipping the clutch, etc. can't be done in an auto. I don't feel connected at all in an auto "sports car". When it comes to performance cars/bikes, no way I'd ever consider an auto. And that goes for the synchro-mesh type transmissions, too.

HOWEVER, in an SUV/Truck, it is different. The last thing I want to do after a day of skiing, camping, hiking, etc. is shift. Call me lazy or whatever, but it's nice to just relax, unwind and "steer." The auto transmission is more than adequate to get you where you're going. And if you've ever driven the 4.0L V6, you'd agree that it has more than enough power.

I'll save my shifting skills for my cars. On my 4x4's, autos only. :shakin:

 

[wagner_joe]

I have an 05 Taco DC. I have the six speed Manual.

I looked particularly for this.. I traded in an 00 XJ Automatic... I've Owned the following:

92 Izusu Rodeo - 5 speed 3.4 V6
97 Jeep TJ - 5 Speed 2.4 4 banger
00 Jeep XJ - 4 speed Auto - 6 Cyl
01 Dodge Dakota - 5 Speed Auto 4.7

By far I enjoy my Taco the most. I miss my TJ, but it truly was gutless in the mtns of Arizona. Great on the trails, but horrible up hill on the hwy.. My Taco is a perfect fit between the Jeep TJ and the Dodge.. Lots of control with the Manual and lots of power up hill, easy to control off-road. I went up to Prescott this weekend and it was easy to do 75 up-hill without shifting into 5th gear. No Clutch problems yet.. 80k miles on it so far...

I have a friend that has a 06 Taco Pre-runner Auto.. The only main issue is the gearing is different.. I noticed that on the hwy the Auto lowers the rpms about 500rpms vs my manual.. But either is a capable vehicle...

It's preference on the Auto vs Manual, I just like being old school.. Had a 79 Land Cruiser in college that went to rust heaven and enjoy wheeling with a stick in my hands...

 

[Overland Hadley]

I'll add my $.02. I've always owned manual cars (and of course bikes I've owned are all manual). Rev-match, slipping the clutch, etc. can't be done in an auto. I don't feel connected at all in an auto "sports car". When it comes to performance cars/bikes, no way I'd ever consider an auto. And that goes for the synchro-mesh type transmissions, too.

HOWEVER, in an SUV/Truck, it is different. The last thing I want to do after a day of skiing, camping, hiking, etc. is shift. Call me lazy or whatever, but it's nice to just relax, unwind and "steer." The auto transmission is more than adequate to get you where you're going. And if you've ever driven the 4.0L V6, you'd agree that it has more than enough power.

I'll save my shifting skills for my cars. On my 4x4's, autos only. :shakin:

These are my thoughts exactly. In a go fast car it is manual all the way, but in a truck, it is nice to just sit back and cruise.

My 07 Tacoma is an auto, and I love it. The shifts are smooth, and it is nice not to worry about shifting on the trail.

 

[heeltoe989]

X2 - Welcome to the expo!

I've got a 06 double cab V6 auto and I love it, I would trade it for a manual. I have a supercharger now and I've heard a few issues already with MT with the supercharger, where as the auto is a bit tougher for the more power and torque (that comes from the dealer). I like the auto for wheeling to, call me lazy but I left foot brake and its nice sometimes not having to worry about the clutch, on the trail and in stop and go traffic.

 

[HMR]

New guy here. I've been lurking around for the last month or so collecting info and enjoying this great site.

Welcome to Expo! I recognize your screen name from ADVRider. This is a cool site, you'll dig it.

I replaced my MT '94 Toyota 4x4 with an AT '05 Tacoma. I LOVE the auto trans. I spend most of my time in Anza Borrego and like to hike while there. At the end of the day I'm usually beat. It's so nice on the drive home to click the cruise-control and "just steer". I also prefer the AT when crawling over rocks.

 

[mmtoy]

I have an 07 DC taco w/auto. All my trucks before this have been manuals. I'll never go back to a manual (as long as I own a Toyota, anyway). This tranny just takes care of shifting for me. I've always enjoyed "being in control" of my truck by deciding when to shift, but now I can drive and not worry about shifting; the truck pretty much always shifts when I would have anyway. If I want to be in charge (limit top gear), there's nothing stopping me. It's the best tranny I've ever driven. I've never noticed a power loss.

 

[007]

I can understand why people like auto's on trucks, but its not for me. I like to clip along pretty fast and the manual is better for that. I also drive on icy roads and the manual gives better control.

If you are sane and laid back get the auto.

If you are given to fly in anything, get the manual.

 

[toy_tek]

Isn't it Cabeza???

Auto just makes more sense now. Plenty of power is available, and they're reliable. Much easier for trailriding and even rockcrawling (gasp!). And Han makes a point I hadn't considered - the ride home is less jeep-like. I'd bet there are a lot more manual trans guys secretly wishing they had auto as opposed to auto guys wishing they had a manual. But you'd never get them to admit it.

But lets be honest: a manual is more fun - and mandatory in a sports car.

 

[heeltoe989]

I can understand why people like auto's on trucks, but its not for me. I like to clip along pretty fast and the manual is better for that. I also drive on icy roads and the manual gives better control.

If you are sane and laid back get the auto.

If you are given to fly in anything, get the manual.

A manual is better for clipping along better? I'm not sure about that. I also don't see how a manual gives better control over and auto on icy roads considering I drive on icy roads 7 months of the year, also most WRC rally cars are automatic sequential type gear boxes.

If I need to gear down you can just shift your auto into the desired gear or drive slower and drive to the conditions. If the truck under steers in a slippery corner a quick left foot stab to the brake and accelerate at the same time and the truck comes back to to steering around the corner. I also change tires in the winter to a 245/70/17 DM-Z3 Blizzak cause I have too.

It all comes down to personal preference in the end.

 

[richard cabesa]

Welcome to Expo! I recognize your screen name from ADVRider. This is a cool site, you'll dig it.

I replaced my MT '94 Toyota 4x4 with an AT '05 Tacoma. I LOVE the auto trans. I spend most of my time in Anza Borrego and like to hike while there. At the end of the day I'm usually beat. It's so nice on the drive home to click the cruise-control and "just steer". I also prefer the AT when crawling over rocks.

Thanks! I've seen you at the nut house as well and I see Ara is even posting around here. Are there other inmates here?

Isn't it Cabeza???

Yes, but not in my sick little world :sombrero:



Thanks for the input, guys. I am a construction project manager and do have to do alot of running around . All my work trucks for the past 15 or so years have been AT's. I could get tired of the MT quick, I don't know.

Maybe I'll just have to go flog the wifes GTI when I need a stick fix.

 

[DaveInDenver]

If I need to gear down you can just shift your auto into the desired gear or drive slower and drive to the conditions.

Does putting a Toyota auto in 2nd actually let you start in 2nd? Near as I can tell it still starts in 1st gear. Is that true? That might be one place where a stick would give you more control.

 

[heeltoe989]

Does putting a Toyota auto in 2nd actually let you start in 2nd? Near as I can tell it still starts in 1st gear. Is that true? That might be one place where a stick would give you more control.

My truck if I shift to 2nd gear it will start in first and shift to second but does not shift to third, it stays in second until the rev limiter. that goes for all gears.